What is PHP-FPM?

A request made by PHP, one of the most widespread programming languages on the net, consists of interpreting files or associated scripts, and each interpretation draws on elements and actions to be executed. By default, a PHP file is read in an identical and independent manner on each request, without taking any previous requests into account.

With PHP-FPM, the elements and instructions called on when a request is made are stored, i.e. cached on the server, to be reused directly if the same request is made again.

Less requests on the filer therefore means decreased load on the machine (load average), and better availability of resources to carry out other tasks.

In concrete terms, when a visitor's actions on your website involve a request on the system, the PHP interpreter must be activated, be put in memory, list the required elements, find them and then check that the code is valid. Finally, when everything is ready, it executes the request.

Using PHP-FPM, all these operations will already be known and recorded by the server. Their interpretation is thus much faster, as is the page loading that follows.

According to our tests, this facilitates site access an average of 7 times faster than an identical hosting system without this optimisation. Some CMS [Wordpress, Joomla, Magento] users even report performances up to ten times faster!

Who benefits from PHP-FPM?

The benefits of the FPM technique are even more perceptible on online structures such as CMS, as they are based on multiple PHP files that are called on frequently and in large numbers. However, there are certainly advantages on other structures, bearing in mind that it's rare for a website not to use PHP. So it's almost certain that your project will also benefit from it.

The PHP-FPM optimisation is included and activated on all our web hosting offers. However, despite optimisation, the execution of your scripts also depends on the number of PHP workers available to interpret them. However, upgrading to a higher range on a higher tariff will also involve securing more workers and therefore, as much benefit as with PHP-FPM.